Mauritius, in the southwestern Indian Ocean, is the perfect tropical destination. With palm-fringed beaches, clear blue waters, dramatic mountains, lush vegetation and renowned resort hotels, Mauritius is ideal for a honeymoon, families with toddlers to teens, or for a relaxing escape. The island is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, providing sheltered beaches and calm lagoon waters on which to enjoy a huge array of (mostly complimentary) water sports and snorkelling from your hotel. Offshore it also offers some of the world’s best big-game fishing: Wahoo, Blue and Black marlin, Yellowfin and Skipjack tuna feed in the clear, deep waters only a mile from land, in season. Diving is also good with a variety of dive sites to explore and most hotels feature a professional dive centre.
Mauritius has a vibrant, multicultural population. Its location on the trading route to India and Asia brought the Dutch, the French and finally the English to the island to settle. Indians and Chinese came to work and trade the sugar cane which still covers much of the island, and the island’s colourful history is reflected in its cuisine, with a wide range of Indian, Chinese, Creole and European influences in its dishes, and in the variety of cultural and religious festivals that are celebrated.
Only four hours flying time from South Africa and Kenya, Mauritius can easily be combined with the thrill of game viewing and the natural beauty of Africa's mainland.